LORELEI QC30

The LORELEI QC30 deliver jaw-dropping sound and ANC for the price of a cheap lunch. They're not perfect for big heads or conference calls, but for pure music enjoyment on a budget, nothing else comes close.

The 97th-percentile sound ranking floored us. The dual 40mm drivers pump out deep, punchy bass and crisp highs without fatigue. We expected that kind of performance from brands charging $100+, not a no-name from Amazon. The hybrid ANC is also stellar, knocking out engine hum and chatter with ease. Battery life? A full 60 hours with ANC off, 50 with it on, and a 5-minute quick charge gives you 4 hours. That edges out plenty of $80 headphones.

The main rivals here are the Soundcore Space One and the Sony WH-CH720N. The Space One costs a bit more, has a more balanced sound, and a less clampy fit, but its ANC and battery don't match the QC30. The Sony WH-CH720N is far more comfortable for all-day wear and has much better mics, but it's double the price and its sound is less exciting. If you're after raw audio punch and battery endurance per dollar, the LORELEI wins. For comfort and calls, spend up. New heavy hitters like the Sennheiser HDB 630 and Sony ULT WEAR have entered the top 5, but they live in a completely different price bracket and don't threaten this budget king.

Absolutely. At $17 to $35, you're getting features and sound that would have cost $100 a couple years ago. Unless you need top-tier call quality or have a large head, this is the best value in budget ANC right now. The frequent price dips make it almost irresponsible not to buy a pair as a backup.

The LORELEI QC30 are easily the best-sounding sub-$40 wireless headphones we've tested. And now they're frequently dipping as low as $17, which is just absurd. For that pocket change, you get hybrid ANC, a ridiculous 60-hour battery, and sound quality that rivals cans costing twice as much. The catch? They're a bit tight on larger heads and the call quality is just okay. But if your priority is music and noise cancellation on a tight budget, these are a no-brainer.

If you're looking for all-day comfort on a big head or need crystal-clear call quality, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WH-CH720N instead, which has a lighter, roomier fit and better microphones, even though it costs more.

Buy the LORELEI QC30 if you want to be blown away by how good $17 can sound. They're the new budget king for music lovers who commute or work in noisy places. Just make sure your head size isn't on the 'XL' end of the spectrum.